The Courage To Live

 We all carry invisible burdens: grief, guilt, pressure, responsibility. In this episode, I talk about how those unseen weights affect our performance, relationships, and health. I also share a personal story about losing my father, what happened when I tried to bury the pain, and what it really means to set down the load so you can move forward with courage. 

In this episode, I share one of my favorite stories about Loki, my high-drive Belgian Malinois partner. What was supposed to be a routine building search turned into a showdown between Loki and a department store mannequin. It’s a lighthearted break from the heavy topics we usually cover, and a reminder that resilience sometimes looks like finding humor in the middle of the grind. 

 In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Josh shares his lifelong struggle with sleep, from working 17 years of graveyard shifts to dealing with stress and nightmares from trauma. He explains how lack of rest affects decision making, mental health, and even survival in critical moments. Drawing from both personal experience and practical strategies, Josh offers simple ways to improve sleep quality, from limiting screens and caffeine to creating routines that promote recovery. Whether you are in law enforcement, running a business, or just managing the stress of daily life, this episode is a reminder that rest is not a luxury but a necessity for strength, clarity, and resilience. 

In this episode, Josh and Jenna open up about how The Courage to Live actually got written. Josh shares why past attempts stalled, what finally worked, and what it felt like to leave home for a focused “Author Adventure” to hammer out the manuscript in a week. They talk about the resistance that hit right after committing to the project, including a sudden job loss and travel chaos, and how that fear shaped the writing.

You’ll hear what a typical day looked like in Costa Rica, how coaching, meditation, breathwork, and even some “woo” helped Josh get out of robotic police report mode and back into real storytelling, and why writing 10,000 words a day was both exhausting and necessary. They also walk through the unglamorous parts: edits, cover design, and the nerves of putting something deeply personal into the world. The book releases October 1.

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Josh talks candidly about burnout, what it looked like in his police career, what it feels like now as a small business owner, and why so many people put themselves last until there is nothing left to give. He shares how self care is less about trendy fixes and more about doing what truly fills your soul, from exercise to time in nature. Josh also explains how small resets like sleep, nutrition, and honest check ins can make all the difference, and challenges listeners to take practical steps to recharge so they can show up better for the people who matter most. 

 consistency in the gym transformed not only his body but also his mindset. From chasing quick fixes and fad programs to finally committing to a steady routine, he explains how building physical strength created lasting confidence and resilience. Josh also reflects on times when he leaned on fitness as an unhealthy escape, and why approaching workouts with balance and purpose is key. Whether you are a first responder or simply navigating the stress of everyday life, this episode is a reminder that a strong body supports a strong mind. 

In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Josh shares powerful stories of courage that often go unnoticed, from citizens carrying victims out of danger during the 1 October mass shooting, to a student saving a stranger in a wheelchair during the UNLV active shooter, to a firefighter stepping in to help Josh during a violent fight on patrol. These moments highlight that courage is not reserved for first responders or the military. It is available to all of us in the ordinary moments when we are faced with a choice to act or to look away. Josh challenges listeners to reflect on what courage looks like in their own lives and how they want to respond when it matters most.

 In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Josh opens up about one of the biggest mistakes of his career during the 1 October mass shooting in Las Vegas, leaving his K9 partner behind when responding to the suspect’s room. He reflects on how stress, training, and mindset shaped that decision, what it taught him about preparation, and why mistakes are only failures if we do not learn from them. Josh also connects those lessons to life after policing, sharing how he applies the same mindset to running a business and managing everyday challenges. 

 In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Josh reflects on his 24 year police career and what it was like to grow from a 21 year old rookie to a retired captain. He shares the misconceptions he carried into the job, the lessons he had to learn the hard way, and the advice he would give his younger self. From learning how to talk to people with empathy, to building strength and training in jiu jitsu, to understanding the importance of therapy and mental health, Josh offers a candid look back at his career and the tools that would have made the journey easier. 

 In this episode of The Courage to Live Podcast, Josh shares how his relationship with food shifted over a 24 year police career, from gas station hot dogs on the hood of a patrol car to learning how nutrition fuels resilience, fitness, and mental clarity. He talks about the lessons he picked up from experts, the role of moderation, the challenge of breaking habits like energy drinks, and the power of consistency in meal prep and protein intake. Whether you are on shift work, in the gym, or just trying to feel better day to day, this episode highlights how small nutritional changes add up to lasting strength. Josh also gives a shout out to @balancedwithkelsey for her impact on his family’s nutrition journey.